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Local figure

Samuel Mallett Gattis

Samuel Mallett Gattis (1863–1931), born in Orange County north of Chapel Hill, practiced law in Hillsborough from 1888, was clerk of the Orange County superior court from 1888 to 1894, and represented the county in the General Assembly in 1899, 1901 and 1903, when he was speaker of the house.

Source: NCpedia: Gattis, Samuel Mallett (1986)

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Life and Orange County connections

Storylines this person is part of, in date order. Each has its own page.

StorylineThe People's Party and fusion in Orange County, 1892–18981892–1898 · 13 events · The People's Party, whose platform a large Hillsborough gathering adopted in March 1892, joined with the Republicans to sweep Orange County in 1894 and with the Democrats to win it in 1896. In 1892 the Democratic county convention barred two delegates for standing on the St. Louis platform, and the Populists voted to put up a full county ticket. In November 1894 Republicans and Populists won everything but sheriff and register of deeds, which the Democrats kept by 58 and seven votes. In 1896 Orange Democrats and Populists fused on a county ticket that won in full, with the Populist Albert H. Holmes going to the House. In 1898 Orange Populists endorsed a union of the silver forces. StorylineThe 1898 white supremacy campaign in Orange County1898 · 9 events · Orange County's 1898 election came during the Democrats' white supremacy campaign, and in its last weeks masked men lynched a young Black farmhand west of Chapel Hill. Populists nominated Devereux Turner for the state Senate, and the Democrats ran Samuel M. Gattis for the House. On October 26 Manly McCauley, 18, left Milton Brewer's farm with Brewer's wife; a posse overtook them, and as the officer Jesse King brought McCauley back alone, masked men took him and lynched him. His body was found on November 6. On election eve W. A. Guthrie appealed to white voters at Chapel Hill. King was later tried for letting the mob take his prisoner and was acquitted. StorylineThe Bellevue Manufacturing Company, 1904–19191904–1919 · 12 events · Organized in 1904 to build a knitting mill west of Hillsborough, the Bellevue Manufacturing Company soon enlarged its plans and by 1912 was weaving dress ginghams. It was incorporated on October 13, 1904, with Shepperd Strudwick as president. Early in 1905 the stockholders decided to raise the subscribed stock to add a spinning plant, and Charlotte mill designer Richard C. Biberstein planned the machinery. The engine was first fired on July 7, 1905, but a tank failure the next week delayed the start. The 2014 Hillsborough survey dates the mill to 1909, perhaps an enlargement or rebuilding. By 1912 it ran 5,000 spindles and 200 looms, and by 1919 it ran partly on electricity. StorylineThe Central Highway route fight, 1921–19221921–1922 · 8 events · The route of the Central Highway, the trunk road of the state network paid for by the 1921 Highway Act that Harriet Morehead Berry of Hillsborough championed, set off a fight in Orange County. In August 1921 the county commissioners weighed eastern and western 'Frog Pond' routes, and eastern Chapel Hill township residents demanded County Attorney A. H. Graham's discharge. In November a Hillsborough mass meeting resolved to fight the State Highway Commission's plan to carry the highway north of the courthouse. A Hillsborough group protested in Raleigh on March 1, 1922, Commissioner John Sprunt Hill was burned in effigy the next day, and the town board vowed to keep fighting in the state courts.

Dated events connected with this person, in date order. See these 72 dated events in the chronology →

  1. Dr. Pride Jones serves as Orange County clerk of superior court Dr. Pride Jones followed George Laws, clerk for thirty years, as clerk of the superior court of Orange County and held the office from 1883 to 1888, when Samuel M. Gattis succeeded him. People: Pride Jones, George Laws, Samuel Mallett Gattis Place: HillsboroughSearch the index · Lefler and Wager, Orange County, 1752-1952 (1953), p. 357
  2. The class of 1884 holds its Class Day with a song written by Cornelia Phillips Spencer In commencement week the class of 1884, with Love as president and Samuel M. Gattis as secretary, put on one of the university's early Class Day programs. W. G. Randall read a comic prophecy and Gattis a class history, and the class sang a song Spencer had written for it. People: Cornelia Phillips Spencer, James Lee Love, Samuel Mallett Gattis, William George Randall Place: UNC campus, Chapel HillSearch the index · James Lee Love, Recollections (1920-1921), scan p. 213
  3. Chapel Hill Democrats organize a Cleveland and Scales Club After a mass meeting of Chapel Hill township Democrats chose delegates to the county convention, those present organized a Cleveland and Scales Club and enrolled 91 members. People: Samuel Mallett Gattis, Merritt Cheek Place: Chapel HillSearch the index · Orange County Observer (Hillsborough), August 23, 1884, p. 2
  4. Samuel M. Gattis is admitted to practice law in the Orange County court Samuel M. Gattis, licensed by the state Supreme Court in February, was introduced by A. W. Graham and admitted as an attorney of the Orange Superior Court at the opening of its spring term. In April he opened a law office in the court house. People: Augustus Washington Graham Place: Court house, HillsboroughSearch the index · Orange County Observer (Hillsborough), March 24, 1888, p. 3
  5. Hillsborough re-elects Joseph A. Harris mayor over Samuel M. Gattis Hillsborough voters re-elected editor Joseph A. Harris mayor over Samuel M. Gattis, 79 to 39, and chose D. C. Parks, George Laws, Thomas Hedgpeth, James Webb Jr., James A. Cheek, Henry Richards Jr. and D. Y. Mebane as town commissioners. People: Joseph A. Harris, Samuel Mallett Gattis, David C. Parks, James Webb Jr., James A. Cheek Place: Hillsborough · Also named: George Laws, Thomas Hedgpeth, Henry Richards Jr., D. Y. MebaneSearch the index · Orange County Observer (Hillsborough), May 12, 1888, p. 3
  6. Samuel M. Gattis becomes chairman of the Orange County Democratic executive committee In the year he began practicing law in Hillsborough, Gattis was elected chairman of the Orange County Democratic executive committee and a delegate to the party's national convention. Place: Orange CountySearch the index · NCpedia: Gattis, Samuel Mallett (1986) · Also: Orange County Observer (Hillsborough), May 19, 1888, p. 3
  7. Orange County Democrats nominate their county ticket and leave the sheriff's race open The Democratic county convention at the court house nominated Thomas M. Cheek for the House, John Laws for register of deeds, D. M. Laws for treasurer, Dr. A. C. Jordan for coroner and James O. Webb for surveyor, and recommended Thomas H. Hughes to the senatorial convention. With only two or three votes against, it postponed indefinitely any nomination for sheriff, leaving the field to Sheriff John K. Hughes. People: Samuel Mallett Gattis, A. L. Holden, Dudley M. Laws Place: Court house, Hillsborough · Also named: Thomas M. Cheek, John Laws, A. C. Jordan, James O. Webb, Thomas H. Hughes, John K. HughesSearch the index · Orange County Observer (Hillsborough), August 18, 1888, p. 2
  8. Fowle and Dockery debate the governor's race at Hillsborough Daniel G. Fowle, the Democratic candidate for governor, and Oliver H. Dockery, the Republican, held a joint discussion before a large crowd at Hillsborough, introduced by Samuel M. Gattis. Fowle defended the county government system and the Democrats' record on taxes and schools; Dockery argued for a protective tariff and for replacing the county commissioners with boards of audit and finance. People: Samuel Mallett Gattis Place: Hillsborough · Also named: Daniel G. Fowle, Oliver H. DockerySearch the index · Orange County Observer (Hillsborough), September 8, 1888, p. 2
  9. Samuel M. Gattis becomes clerk of the Orange County superior court Judge Gilmer appointed the young Hillsborough lawyer clerk of the superior court after Dr. Pride Jones resigned. Gattis was elected to the office in 1889 and held it until 1894. People: Pride Jones Place: HillsboroughSearch the index · NCpedia: Gattis, Samuel Mallett (1986) · Also: Orange County Observer (Hillsborough), December 22, 1888, p. 3
  10. The Hillsborough firm of Hedgpeth & McCollum assigns its property to creditors Hedgpeth & McCollum, Hillsborough merchants, made an assignment to Samuel M. Gattis for the benefit of their creditors, with debts estimated at $1,600 and assets of about $2,000. People: Samuel Mallett Gattis Place: HillsboroughSearch the index · Orange County Observer (Hillsborough), December 22, 1888, p. 3
  11. C. M. Parks gives the Hillsboro Circuit its first parsonage C. M. Parks bought the James Y. Whitted house on Churton Street in January 1889 and fitted it up as a parsonage for the Methodists' Hillsboro Circuit, and the pastor moved in that February. Parks then gave the house, on about nine-tenths of an acre at Union and Churton streets and valued at $1,800 to $2,000, to the circuit as its first parsonage; the gift was announced in November 1890 and the deed to the church trustees is dated April 13, 1891. People: Samuel Mallett Gattis, O. J. Forrest, Joseph A. Harris, Charles M. Parks Place: Union and Churton streets, Hillsborough · Also mentions: Churton StreetSearch the index · Pauline O. Lloyd and Allen A. Lloyd, History of the Churches of Hillsborough, N.C., ca. 1766-1962 (1963), scan p. 110 · Also: Orange County Observer (Hillsborough), November 15, 1890, p. 2; Orange County Observer (Hillsborough), February 9, 1889, p. 3
  12. Allen J. Ruffin, A. A. Springs and Thomas D. Turner incorporate the Hillsboro Tobacco Company Allen J. Ruffin, Alexander A. Springs and Thomas D. Turner incorporated the Hillsboro Tobacco Company for ten years to buy, sell, handle and manufacture leaf tobacco at Hillsborough, Durham or elsewhere, with $3,000 capital in sixty $50 shares and power to grow to $20,000. People: Allen Jones Ruffin, Samuel Mallett Gattis Place: Hillsborough · Also named: Alexander A. Springs, Thomas D. TurnerSearch the index · Orange County Observer (Hillsborough), March 2, 1889, p. 3
Show all 72 dated events
  1. The Hillsborough YMCA elects delegates to the state convention Meeting on Monday night, the Young Men's Christian Association of Hillsborough chose Charles M. Parks and C. E. Parish as delegates, with S. M. Gattis and Joseph A. Harris as alternates, to the state YMCA convention at Goldsboro in March. People: Calvin E. Parish, Samuel Mallett Gattis, Joseph A. Harris, Charles M. Parks Place: Hillsborough · Also mentions: YMCASearch the index · Orange County Observer (Hillsborough), February 8, 1890, p. 3
  2. Hillsboro re-elects Mayor Joseph A. Harris with a seven-man town board The town election returned Joseph A. Harris as mayor with commissioners Robert Faucette, Harry L. Parish, Hayes, S. J. Lynch, Henry N. Brown Jr., James A. Cheek and George Laws. Clerk S. M. Gattis swore them in on May 13, and on May 19 Parish gave bond as treasurer and the board named standing committees, with Cheek heading streets. People: Joseph A. Harris, Samuel Mallett Gattis, Harry L. Parish, James A. Cheek Place: Hillsborough · Also named: Robert Faucette, S. J. Lynch, Henry N. Brown Jr., George LawsSearch the index · Orange County Observer (Hillsborough), May 10, 1890, p. 3
  3. Orange County Democrats call township meetings and a county convention Meeting at Hillsboro, the county Democratic executive committee under chairman S. M. Gattis called township conventions for June 28 and a county convention at the court house on July 4 to choose delegates to the state, judicial and congressional conventions, giving each township ten votes. People: Samuel Mallett Gattis Place: HillsboroughSearch the index · Orange County Observer (Hillsborough), June 21, 1890, p. 3
  4. Orange County Democrats meet in convention and choose delegates to the state and congressional conventions The county Democratic convention met at the court house on July 4, elected delegates to the state convention at Raleigh and the congressional convention at Durham, and the executive committee then called a second county convention for July 30 to name the legislative and county ticket. People: Samuel Mallett Gattis Place: Court house, HillsboroughSearch the index · Orange County Observer (Hillsborough), July 12, 1890, p. 2
  5. Orange County Democrats nominate their legislative and county ticket and instruct for Vance The county convention at the court house, with every township represented, nominated R. N. Hall Jr. of Little River for the House, S. M. Gattis for clerk, John K. Hughes for sheriff, John Laws for register of deeds and D. M. Laws for treasurer. It passed a resolution instructing Orange's legislators to vote to return Zebulon Vance to the Senate. People: Calvin E. Parish, Samuel Mallett Gattis, George W. Tate, John Knox Hughes, Dudley M. Laws Place: Court house, Hillsborough · Also named: R. N. Hall Jr., John LawsSearch the index · Orange County Observer (Hillsborough), August 2, 1890, p. 2
  6. Cedar Grove Academy is incorporated Simeon J. Hall, Robert H. Hughes and Artemus A. Compton incorporated Cedar Grove Academy before the clerk of superior court to run a school for the youth of the area, for thirty years, with $2,500 in stock in $5 shares. People: Robert Hughes, Samuel Mallett Gattis Place: Cedar Grove, Orange County · Also named: Simeon J. Hall, Artemus A. Compton · Also mentions: Cedar Grove AcademyOrange County Observer (Hillsborough), September 13, 1890, p. 3
  7. Democrats carry the county offices in Orange County's general election Orange voters chose the whole Democratic ticket by wide margins, among them Sheriff John K. Hughes, Superior Court Clerk Samuel M. Gattis, Register of Deeds John Laws and Treasurer D. M. Laws, and with Durham sent R. N. Hall Jr. and a Durham Democrat to the state House. Constables were also elected in five townships. People: Samuel Mallett Gattis, Stephen T. Forrest, John Knox Hughes, Dudley M. Laws Place: Orange County · Also named: John Laws, R. N. Hall Jr.Search the index · Orange County Observer (Hillsborough), November 15, 1890, p. 2
  8. The Orange County commissioners begin a new term and swear in the county officers Commissioners D. H. Hamilton, William D. Woods and James Y. Merritt, the same board as before, took the oath from Clerk Samuel M. Gattis and chose Hamilton chairman again. They accepted the bonds of the sheriff, register, treasurer, clerk, coroner, surveyor and five township constables and swore them in. People: Samuel Mallett Gattis Place: Hillsborough · Also named: D. H. Hamilton, William D. Woods, James Y. MerrittSearch the index · Orange County Observer (Hillsborough), December 6, 1890, p. 3
  9. The list of Orange County claimants for the refunded federal direct tax reaches the clerk of court The list of claimants for the refunded federal direct land tax, covering Orange County as it stood before the 1881 division, was received by the Clerk of the Superior Court. Orange claimants were to receive $14,298.37 in all, and the county list held more than 1,100 names. People: Samuel Mallett Gattis Place: Court house, HillsboroughSearch the index · Orange County Observer (Hillsborough), July 11, 1891, p. 3
  10. Hillsborough's Young Men's Christian Association elects Joseph G. Cooley president Meeting on a Monday night, the Hillsborough Young Men's Christian Association chose Joseph G. Cooley president for the coming year, with J. S. Spurgeon and Henry Richards vice presidents, and planned its third anniversary meeting for the first Monday in December. People: Joseph G. Cooley, John Sanford Spurgeon, Samuel Mallett Gattis Place: Hillsborough · Also named: Henry RichardsSearch the index · Orange County Observer (Hillsborough), November 21, 1891, p. 3
  11. Orange County Democrats meet in convention and endorse A. W. Graham for Congress Democrats from every Orange township met at the court house in Hillsborough with Major John W. Graham presiding, chose delegates to the state, judicial and congressional conventions, and instructed them to vote for Augustus W. Graham of Oxford for Congress. The county executive committee then re-elected Samuel M. Gattis its chairman. People: John W. Graham, Samuel Mallett Gattis, Augustus Washington Graham Place: Court house, HillsboroughSearch the index · Orange County Observer (Hillsborough), July 28, 1894, p. 2
  12. Orange County Democrats nominate D. C. Parks for the House and a full county ticket The Democratic county convention, meeting at the court house under chairman Matthew Atwater, nominated David C. Parks for the state House, Samuel M. Gattis for clerk of superior court, John K. Hughes for sheriff, John Laws for register of deeds, D. M. Laws for treasurer, Dr. D. C. Parris for coroner and Col. George W. Tate for surveyor. It also ordered a party vote at every precinct on election day to record Orange Democrats' choice for the two United States Senate seats, and bound its House nominee to vote for the winners. People: David C. Parks, Samuel Mallett Gattis, Matthew Atwater, D. C. Parris, George W. Tate, John Knox Hughes, Dudley M. Laws Place: Court house, Hillsborough · Also named: John LawsSearch the index · Orange County Observer (Hillsborough), September 8, 1894, p. 2
  13. New clerk of court D. Frank Crawford and treasurer William F. Jackson take office The county commissioners accepted the bonds of the newly elected Republican clerk of Superior Court, D. Frank Crawford, and treasurer, William F. Jackson, and both men took up their duties at once, succeeding Democrats Samuel M. Gattis and Dudley M. Laws. People: Samuel Mallett Gattis, Dudley M. Laws Place: Court house, Hillsborough · Also named: D. Frank Crawford, William F. JacksonSearch the index · Orange County Observer (Hillsborough), December 15, 1894, p. 3
  14. Orange County citizens organize corn relief for drought-stricken Nebraska A meeting at the Hillsborough court house organized relief for drought-stricken Nebraska farmers and named committees in every township to collect corn and seed, not money, for delivery to Charles S. Cooley at Hillsboro by February 5. By February 9 Cooley had received more than 200 bushels, with more held up by bad roads. People: N. W. Brown, Samuel Mallett Gattis, John Knox Hughes Place: Court house, Hillsborough · Also named: Charles S. CooleySearch the index · Orange County Observer (Hillsborough), January 26, 1895, p. 2
  15. William Jennings Bryan speaks from his train at the Hillsborough depot Democratic presidential nominee William J. Bryan stopped at Hillsborough on his North Carolina tour, was introduced by S. M. Gattis, spoke for two or three minutes to several hundred people and shook hands. People: William Jennings Bryan, Samuel Mallett Gattis Place: Southern Railway depot, HillsboroughSearch the index · Orange County Observer (Hillsborough), September 24, 1896, p. 2
  16. Orange County Democrats nominate S. M. Gattis for the House and a county ticket The Orange County Democratic convention met in the court house, nominated S. M. Gattis for the state House and a full county ticket headed by Sheriff John K. Hughes, and then heard R. B. Glenn speak for free silver. People: Samuel Mallett Gattis, David McCauley, John W. Thompson, Clarence Dupre Jones, R. B. (Robert Brodnax) Glenn, John Knox Hughes Place: Court house, HillsboroughSearch the index · Orange County Observer (Hillsborough), September 24, 1896, p. 3
  17. Orange Democrats and Populists fuse on a county ticket Orange County's Democrats and Populists agreed on a joint county ticket. The Populist Albert H. Holmes replaced the Democratic nominee S. M. Gattis for the House, the Populist William B. York ran for treasurer, and the Populist Thomas J. Hogan replaced James Laws Jr. among the commissioner candidates, alongside Democrats such as John K. Hughes for sheriff and John Laws for register of deeds. People: Samuel Mallett Gattis, John Knox Hughes Place: Orange County · Also named: Albert H. Holmes, William B. York, Thomas J. Hogan, John Laws, James Laws Jr.Search the index · Orange County Observer (Hillsborough), October 22, 1896, p. 2
  18. Orange Democrats choose convention delegates and back S. M. Gattis for solicitor The Orange County Democratic convention, chaired by W. C. Cole of Chapel Hill Township, chose delegates to the state, judicial and congressional conventions and instructed its judicial delegates to work for Samuel M. Gattis for solicitor. At the district convention in Durham on May 25 the nomination went to Boone of Durham on the first ballot. People: Samuel Mallett Gattis, Joseph A. Harris Place: Court house, Hillsborough · Also named: W. C. ColeSearch the index · Orange County Observer (Hillsborough), May 26, 1898, p. 2
  19. Orange Democrats name their 1898 county ticket with S. M. Gattis for the House Orange County Democrats put up a county ticket for the 1898 election with Samuel M. Gattis for the House, John K. Hughes for sheriff, Ed. A. Dickson for treasurer, James O. Webb for surveyor, Dr. D. C. Parris for coroner, and James Laws Jr., W. A. Maddry and James M. Monk for county commissioners. People: Samuel Mallett Gattis, D. C. Parris, John Knox Hughes Place: Orange County · Also named: Ed. A. Dickson, James O. Webb, James Laws Jr., W. A. Maddry, James M. MonkSearch the index · Orange County Observer (Hillsborough), September 29, 1898, p. 3
  20. Harry L. Parish is secretary and treasurer of the People's Mutual Benevolent Association's Orange Division The People's Mutual Benevolent Association of North Carolina, a life insurance society whose division agent was based at Hillsborough, named Samuel M. Gattis president and Harry L. Parish secretary and treasurer of its division for Orange and Durham counties, with John K. Hughes, Thomas J. Oldham and other county men as directors. People: Harry L. Parish, Samuel Mallett Gattis, John Knox Hughes, Thomas J. Oldham Place: Hillsborough · Also mentions: Orange and Durham countiesSearch the index · Orange County Observer (Hillsborough), May 11, 1899, p. 2
  21. Orange Democrats instruct their state delegates for a Senate primary The Orange Democratic county convention, with C. W. Johnston in the chair, elected 21 delegates to the state convention, endorsed Charles B. Aycock for governor and unanimously instructed the delegates to work for a primary at the November election to choose a United States senator. People: Samuel Mallett Gattis, Joseph A. Harris, Charles B. Aycock Place: Court house, Hillsborough · Also named: C. W. JohnstonSearch the index · Orange County Observer (Hillsborough), April 12, 1900, p. 2
  22. Orange Democrats nominate Samuel M. Gattis and the 1900 county ticket The Orange Democratic county convention nominated Samuel M. Gattis for the House, John K. Hughes for sheriff, John Laws for register of deeds, E. A. Dickson for treasurer, James O. Webb for surveyor, Dr. D. C. Parris for coroner and W. A. Maddry, J. M. Monk and James Laws Jr. for county commissioners. People: Samuel Mallett Gattis, D. C. Parris, John Knox Hughes Place: Court house, Hillsborough · Also named: John Laws, E. A. Dickson, James O. Webb, W. A. Maddry, J. M. Monk, James Laws Jr.Search the index · Orange County Observer (Hillsborough), June 14, 1900, p. 3
  23. Charles B. Aycock addresses a White Supremacy rally at Hillsborough Charles B. Aycock, Democratic candidate for governor, spoke for two hours in the court house yard at Hillsborough for the suffrage amendment before a crowd put at 3,000 voters plus women and children. A horseback parade met him at the depot, the Gate City Brass Band of Greensboro played, and the Eno Cotton Mill and town businesses shut for the day. People: Charles B. Aycock, Samuel Mallett Gattis, John Knox Hughes Place: Court house yard, HillsboroughSearch the index · Orange County Observer (Hillsborough), July 19, 1900, p. 3
  24. Orange County narrowly votes down the suffrage amendment In the state election the official Orange County canvass showed the suffrage amendment losing in the county by a handful of votes and the Fusion state ticket carrying it by two to nine votes, while Democrats won the legislative seats and county offices; Samuel M. Gattis beat Thomas E. Sparrow for the House, 1,488 to 1,420, and Sheriff John K. Hughes was re-elected. People: Samuel Mallett Gattis, Thomas Sparrow, John Knox Hughes Place: Orange CountySearch the index · Orange County Observer (Hillsborough), August 9, 1900, p. 3
  25. The legislature amends Hillsborough's charter, cutting the town board to five and setting a $100 liquor license The General Assembly passed an amendment to Hillsborough's town charter that reduced the board of town commissioners from seven members to five and fixed the town liquor license at $100 a year. Mayor Harris had prepared the changes in January for Representative S. M. Gattis to carry to Raleigh. People: Joseph A. Harris, Samuel Mallett Gattis Place: HillsboroughSearch the index · Orange County Observer (Hillsborough), March 7, 1901, p. 3
  26. Orange Democrats name their 1902 county ticket The largest Democratic county convention in years met at the court house and nominated W. N. Pritchard for the state Senate, S. M. Gattis for the House, D. H. Hamilton for clerk, Sheriff John K. Hughes for another term, John Laws for register of deeds, M. A. McCauley for treasurer over the sitting treasurer E. A. Dickson, and Thomas H. Wilson, A. F. Andrews and B. H. McKee for county commissioners. People: Samuel Mallett Gattis, Clarence Dupre Jones, John Knox Hughes Place: Court house, Hillsborough · Also named: W. N. Pritchard, D. H. Hamilton, John Laws, M. A. McCauley, E. A. DicksonSearch the index · Orange County Observer (Hillsborough), August 21, 1902, p. 3
  27. Senatorial district Democrats nominate R. L. Walker and W. N. Pritchard at Hillsborough The Democratic convention of the state senatorial district of Durham, Orange, Alamance and Caswell counties met at Hillsborough on September 9, 1902 and unanimously nominated R. L. Walker of Caswell and Capt. W. N. Pritchard of Chapel Hill for the State Senate. Dr. R. A. Freeman of Alamance presided, and S. M. Gattis placed Pritchard in nomination. People: Samuel Mallett Gattis Place: Hillsborough · Also named: R. L. Walker, W. N. Pritchard, R. A. FreemanSearch the index · The News (Chapel Hill), September 11, 1902, p. 1
  28. Democrats carry Orange and Sheriff Hughes beats an independent challenger Orange County went Democratic again in the general election: Sheriff John K. Hughes, against whom the hardest fight was made, defeated James M. Atwater, a Democrat running as an independent, and the rest of the Democratic county and legislative ticket won. W. N. Pritchard and R. L. Walker carried the Nineteenth Senatorial District over Thomas J. Oldham of Orange and J. E. Lyon of Durham. People: James Atwater, Samuel Mallett Gattis, Thomas J. Oldham, John Knox Hughes Place: Orange County · Also named: W. N. Pritchard, R. L. WalkerSearch the index · Orange County Observer (Hillsborough), November 6, 1902, p. 3
  29. The county commissioners adopt a general road law and elect road supervisors The Orange County commissioners adopted a general road law drafted by S. M. Gattis for working the public roads everywhere but Chapel Hill Township, which kept its own road law, and elected road supervisors for the townships. People: Samuel Mallett Gattis Place: Court house, HillsboroughSearch the index · Orange County Observer (Hillsborough), May 7, 1903, p. 3
  30. The Bank of Orange is chartered and elects its officers The Bank of Orange was chartered at Raleigh on April 18 with $5,000 capital, which might rise to $50,000, to do a commercial and savings business. Its stockholders met on April 26 at the court house, adopted by-laws and elected directors, who chose J. S. Spurgeon president, C. A. Scott vice president and Paul C. Collins cashier. People: John Sanford Spurgeon, Paul C. Collins, Shepperd Strudwick (1868-1961), Samuel Mallett Gattis, O. J. Forrest Place: Court house, Hillsborough · Also named: C. A. Scott · Also mentions: Bank of OrangeSearch the index · Orange County Observer (Hillsborough), April 21, 1904, p. 3 · Also: Orange County Observer (Hillsborough), April 28, 1904, p. 3
  31. Orange Democrats instruct their delegates for Robert B. Glenn for governor The Orange County Democratic convention at Hillsboro on June 4 chose delegates to the state and congressional conventions at Greensboro and instructed them to cast most of the county's ten votes for Robert B. Glenn and the rest for Charles M. Stedman for governor, to back Hoke and Brown for the Supreme Court and W. W. Kitchin for Congress; S. M. Gattis was made a delegate at large. People: Samuel Mallett Gattis, Joseph A. Harris, R. B. (Robert Brodnax) Glenn Place: Court house, Hillsborough · Also named: Charles M. Stedman, W. W. KitchinSearch the index · Orange County Observer (Hillsborough), June 9, 1904, p. 3
  32. Bellevue stockholders enlarge the company to spin its own yarn At a meeting the stockholders of the Bellevue Manufacturing Company decided to raise its subscribed stock above $35,000 so it could install a spinning plant and make its own yarns. Cold weather slowed work on the buildings, and in May Samuel M. Gattis described the new plant as a $60,000 knitting mill. People: Samuel Mallett Gattis Place: Bellevue Manufacturing Company, West HillsboroughSearch the index · Orange County Observer (Hillsborough), February 2, 1905, p. 3
  33. Sophie Neville pleads guilty to manslaughter in her father's death At the spring term of Orange Superior Court, Sophie Neville, a Black woman charged with shooting her father dead with a pistol at Chapel Hill that winter, pleaded guilty to manslaughter and was sentenced to four months in the county jail. At the same term the murder case against J. Knapp Horner for killing Deputy Sheriff Nichols was continued to August. People: Samuel Mallett Gattis, Victor Silas Bryant Place: Court house, Hillsborough · Also named: Sophie Neville, J. Knapp HornerSearch the index · Orange County Observer (Hillsborough), March 16, 1905, p. 3
  34. The Parish brothers' Hillsborough store fails H. L. and C. R. Parish, dealers in dry goods and groceries on King Street, made an assignment naming Samuel M. Gattis trustee to sell their stock and pay their debts. Reynolds & Walker of Orange Grove bought the stock in May and reopened in the Parish storehouse. People: Samuel Mallett Gattis, Harry L. Parish Place: H. L. Parish store, King Street, Hillsborough · Also named: C. R. Parish · Also mentions: King StreetSearch the index · Orange County Observer (Hillsborough), March 30, 1905, p. 3
  35. Durham wins an injunction against the Eno Cotton Mills for fouling the Eno The City of Durham, which drew its drinking water from the Eno, obtained a temporary order in early February barring the Eno Cotton Mills at Hillsboro from running sewage and filth into the river. After arguments at Durham on February 10, Judge G. S. Ferguson continued the injunction to a final hearing but suspended it until April 20 so the mill could put in a purifying system approved by the State Board of Health. People: John W. Graham, Frank Nash, Samuel Mallett Gattis Place: Eno Cotton Mill, West Hillsborough · Also named: G. S. Ferguson · Also mentions: Eno Cotton MillsOrange County Observer (Hillsborough), February 22, 1906, p. 3
  36. Orange Democrats instruct their delegates to back Samuel M. Gattis for judge The Democratic county convention, meeting at the court house on June 9, chose delegates to the state, congressional and judicial conventions and, on a resolution by Ira E. D. Andrews, told its judicial delegates to vote solidly for Samuel M. Gattis of Hillsboro for superior court judge in the Ninth District; it also endorsed W. W. Kitchin for Congress and A. L. Brooks for solicitor. The district convention at Durham on June 14 nominated J. Crawford Biggs instead. People: Samuel Mallett Gattis, Joseph A. Harris, Junius D. Webb Place: Court house, Hillsborough · Also named: Ira E. D. Andrews, J. Crawford Biggs, A. L. Brooks, W. W. KitchinSearch the index · Orange County Observer (Hillsborough), June 14, 1906, p. 3
  37. The Durham-Parish Company is incorporated to keep a general store in Hillsboro George A. Durham and S. M. Gattis of Hillsboro and H. L. Parish of Mayodan incorporated the Durham-Parish Company with the Secretary of State to do a general mercantile business, with $25,000 authorized capital and $3,500 paid in. By August the firm was selling dry goods, hardware, harness and groceries from the old D. C. Parks store on King Street. People: Samuel Mallett Gattis, Harry L. Parish, George A. Durham Place: King Street, Hillsborough · Also named: D. C. ParksSearch the index · Orange County Observer (Hillsborough), July 5, 1906, p. 3
  38. Orange Democrats renominate the county officers and endorse John W. Graham for the Senate The Democratic county convention at the court house, with S. M. Gattis in the chair, ratified the August 11 primaries, which had renominated every sitting county officer: D. H. Hamilton for clerk of court over Charles Strayhorn, S. W. Andrews for sheriff, John Laws for register of deeds, Calvin R. Parish for treasurer and Sterling Browning, John F. McAdams and Joseph W. Pickett for commissioners, with Isaac W. Pritchard for the House. The convention endorsed Maj. John W. Graham for the state Senate. People: Samuel Mallett Gattis, John W. Graham, Samuel Weldon Andrews, John F. McAdams, Isaac W. Pritchard Place: Court house, Hillsborough · Also named: D. H. Hamilton, Charles Strayhorn, John Laws, Calvin R. Parish, Sterling Browning, Joseph W. PickettSearch the index · Orange County Observer (Hillsborough), August 23, 1906, p. 2
  39. Democrats carry every county office in Orange Every Democrat on the Orange County ticket won in the general election: W. W. Kitchin carried the county for Congress by 407 votes, John W. Graham beat Bramham for the state Senate by 431 and Isaac W. Pritchard won the House seat by 224, and the three Democratic commissioners, John F. McAdams, Joseph W. Pickett and Sterling Browning, were returned. People: William W. (William Walton) Kitchin, John W. Graham, Samuel Mallett Gattis, John F. McAdams, Isaac W. Pritchard Place: Orange County · Also named: Joseph W. Pickett, Sterling BrowningSearch the index · Orange County Observer (Hillsborough), November 15, 1906, p. 2
  40. A Queen Anne house is built on West King Street for Samuel Mallett Gattis The two-story house at 158 West King Street was built for lawyer Samuel Mallett Gattis, former clerk of superior court and Speaker of the state House in 1903. The Gattis family also rebuilt the lot's old wellhouse that year. People: Samuel Mallett Gattis Place: 158 West King Street, Hillsborough · Also mentions: West King StreetSearch the index · Hillsborough Historic District National Register Additional Documentation (2014), Section 7, p. 79 (Samuel Mallett Gattis House) · Also: Orange County Observer (Hillsborough), February 20, 1908, p. 3
  41. An Orange County Anti-Saloon League is organized after Charles B. Aycock speaks for prohibition Former governor Charles B. Aycock spoke for state prohibition to a large crowd in the Hillsborough courthouse, several merchants closing their stores so their clerks could hear him, and Rev. Charles E. Maddry of Greensboro then organized an Orange County Anti-Saloon League with Frank Nash as chairman, Nathan W. Brown as secretary and an executive committee drawn from every township. People: Charles B. Aycock, Charles Edward Maddry, Frank Nash, N. W. Brown, Samuel Mallett Gattis Place: Courthouse, HillsboroughSearch the index · Orange County Observer (Hillsborough), April 23, 1908, p. 3
  42. The Orange County Democratic convention gives Kitchin most of its vote for governor The Orange County Democratic convention, meeting in the courthouse after the May 9 precinct primaries, cast 4.50 of the county's convention votes for W. W. Kitchin for governor, .81 for Ashley Horne and .69 for Locke Craig, and named the county's delegates to the state, congressional and judicial conventions. People: Samuel Mallett Gattis, William W. (William Walton) Kitchin, Joseph A. Harris, Locke Craig, Samuel Weldon Andrews Place: Courthouse, HillsboroughSearch the index · Orange County Observer (Hillsborough), May 21, 1908, p. 3
  43. Orange County Democrats nominate S. M. Gattis and the 1908 county ticket The Democratic county convention at the Hillsborough court house nominated Samuel M. Gattis for the House over Thomas M. Cheek, named Sheriff S. W. Andrews, Register John Laws and Treasurer H. L. Parish again, and chose Joseph W. Pickett, J. D. Webb and Charles E. Wilson for county commissioner. U.S. Senator Overman and congressional nominee A. L. Brooks addressed the convention. People: Samuel Mallett Gattis, Samuel Weldon Andrews, Harry L. Parish, Junius D. Webb Place: Court house, Hillsborough · Also named: Thomas M. Cheek, John Laws, Joseph W. Pickett, Charles E. Wilson, A. L. BrooksSearch the index · Orange County Observer (Hillsborough), September 3, 1908, p. 3
  44. Taft and Republican Thomas E. Sparrow carry Orange County as Democrats keep most county offices In the general election Orange County gave William H. Taft 1,072 votes to William J. Bryan's 1,017 and sent Republican Thomas E. Sparrow to the state House over S. M. Gattis, 1,064 to 1,010. Democrats carried the county for governor and kept the offices of sheriff, clerk, register and treasurer, but Republican William R. Lloyd won one of the three seats on the board of commissioners. People: Thomas Sparrow, Samuel Mallett Gattis, Samuel Weldon Andrews, Harry L. Parish Place: Orange County · Also named: William R. Lloyd, William J. BryanSearch the index · Orange County Observer (Hillsborough), November 12, 1908, p. 3
  45. County commissioners re-elect Robert D. Bain superintendent of the County Home and raise his pay The new Orange County board of commissioners re-elected Robert D. Bain superintendent of the County Home and raised his salary from $350 to $400 a year. It also re-elected S. M. Gattis county attorney. People: Robert D. Bain, Samuel Mallett Gattis Place: Orange County · Also mentions: County HomeSearch the index · Orange County Observer (Hillsborough): Commissioners' actions, December 17, 1908, p. 3
  46. Hillsboro citizens meet to organize a library association Townspeople met at the Club House to plan a Library Association, with Maj. John W. Graham in the chair and E. Marvin Lockhart as secretary. A committee was named to raise funds and a second meeting was called for February 2. Writing in the Weekly in 1939, Kathleen Graham dated the association from that February 2 meeting, at which twelve citizens organized it and elected Graham president, Samuel M. Gattis vice-president and Marvin Lockhart secretary-treasurer. People: John W. Graham, Samuel Mallett Gattis Place: Club House, Hillsborough · Also named: E. Marvin Lockhart, Kathleen GrahamOrange County Observer (Hillsborough), January 20, 1910, p. 5 · Also: Orange County Observer (Hillsborough), March 1, 1917, p. 1; Chapel Hill Weekly, June 23, 1939, p. 3
  47. Orange County Democrats nominate George C. Pickard for the House and renominate the county officers After primaries on August 3, the Democratic county convention at the court house nominated George C. Pickard of Chapel Hill for the state House by acclamation and renominated Sheriff R. D. Bain, Treasurer Harry L. Parish, Register of Deeds John Laws and Surveyor James O. Webb. It named Dr. W. N. Mebane for coroner and John P. Hughes, J. D. Webb and Allan Browning for county commissioners. People: George C. (George Clancy) Pickard, Charles H. Robertson, Samuel Mallett Gattis, Robert D. Bain, Harry L. Parish, Junius D. Webb Place: Court house, Hillsborough · Also named: John Laws, James O. Webb, W. N. Mebane, John P. Hughes, Allan BrowningSearch the index · Orange County Observer (Hillsborough), August 15, 1912, p. 5
  48. Samuel M. Gattis and Samuel M. Gattis Jr. form the law firm of Gattis & Gattis at Hillsboro Samuel M. Gattis and Samuel M. Gattis Jr. announced a partnership for the practice of law at Hillsboro under the name Gattis & Gattis, the younger man also taking criminal cases. Place: Hillsborough · Also named: Samuel M. Gattis Jr.Search the index · The News (Chapel Hill), January 11, 1917, p. 4
  49. A Liberty Bonfire on the court house square rallies Hillsborough for the Second Liberty Loan On the night of Tuesday, October 23, young Billy Hayes lit a Liberty Bonfire at the corner of the court house square, and seven speakers gave three-minute talks. The county's four banks sold $132,550 in second-loan bonds, and a women's committee under Mrs. James H. Webb raised $79,800. People: Frank Nash, John W. Graham, Samuel Mallett Gattis, Paul C. Collins Place: Hillsborough · Also named: Billy Hayes, Mrs. James H. WebbSearch the index · Documenting the American South: A Record of the War Activities in Orange County, North Carolina, 1917-1919, p. 62
  50. Orange County raises about $2,000 in a Y.M.C.A. war fund drive A Y.M.C.A. drive ran November 11-19, 1917, led by N. W. Brown, G. K. Collins and T. M. Grant. At a packed court house rally on November 18, with Maj. John W. Graham presiding, pledges reached $1,400, and the rest of the $2,000 was raised afterward. People: John W. Graham, Samuel Mallett Gattis, N. W. Brown Place: Hillsborough · Also named: G. K. Collins, T. M. GrantSearch the index · Documenting the American South: A Record of the War Activities in Orange County, North Carolina, 1917-1919, p. 71
  51. Orange County holds a Fourth of July war rally on the UNC campus At the Governor's request the UNC Summer School invited the county to its July 4, 1918 celebration, and at least 3,000 people came for a parade, a flag raising and S. M. Gattis's address in Memorial Hall. The county Council of Defense met in Gerrard Hall, and Adolph Vermont's pageant on French-American friendship played in Battle's Park. People: M. C. S. Noble, J. Cheshire Webb, Samuel Mallett Gattis, Adolph Vermont Place: Chapel Hill · Also mentions: Battle's Park, Gerrard Hall, Memorial HallSearch the index · Documenting the American South: A Record of the War Activities in Orange County, North Carolina, 1917-1919, p. 20
  52. A War Savings rally in Hillsborough welcomes home wounded volunteer Jim Cheshire On the night of Registration Day, September 12, 1918, a crowd packed the court house for a War Savings rally to hear two of Pershing's soldiers. One was Jim Cheshire, the first man to volunteer from the town and the first to come home, sent back wounded to train troops. That day 1,727 county men registered for the draft. People: J. Cheshire Webb, Samuel Mallett Gattis Place: Hillsborough · Also named: James Webb CheshireSearch the index · Documenting the American South: A Record of the War Activities in Orange County, North Carolina, 1917-1919, p. 60
  53. Hillsborough holds the county homecoming celebration for returned soldiers On July 16, 1919, about 15,000 people came to Hillsborough to welcome home Orange County's soldiers and sailors, with a parade, Gov. Bickett's address at the court house and a dinner for about a thousand guests in Cameron Park. J. Cheshire Webb chaired the celebration, and the county Red Cross voted $300 toward its cost, money the celebration fund turned out not to need. People: Frank Nash, Julian S. Carr, John W. Graham, J. Cheshire Webb, Samuel Mallett Gattis, Thomas W. Bickett Place: Hillsborough · Also mentions: Cameron ParkSearch the index · Documenting the American South: A Record of the War Activities in Orange County, North Carolina, 1917-1919, p. 112 · Also: State Archives of North Carolina, Military Collection, WWI Papers, Box 2, Folder 37: Orange County Red Cross History, Hillsborough chapter h
  54. County commissioners take up the fight over the route of the Chapel Hill to Hillsboro hard-surfaced road The county commissioners took up the location of the hard-surfaced road from Chapel Hill to Hillsboro as a special order on Monday, August 1, before a full delegation for an eastern route, argued for by Solicitor S. M. Gattis, against backers of the western 'Frog Pond' route by Harvey Clark's and the Big Meadows to Carrboro. On the advice of County Attorney A. H. Graham the board referred the matter to J. S. Hill and withdrew its promise of a sand-clay road on the eastern route; the account, signed 'Observer,' says the eastern side meant to take its case to the State Highway Commission. People: Samuel Mallett Gattis, Alexander H. "Sandy" Graham, John Sprunt Hill Place: Court house, HillsboroSearch the index · The News (Chapel Hill), August 4, 1921, p. 1
  55. Masons lay the cornerstone of a new dormitory on University Day On University Day, October 12, 1921, the Grand Lodge of Masons, with about sixty local members marshaled by M. C. S. Noble, laid the cornerstone of a new dormitory, the first building of the state's new program for the campus. Lefler and Wager's lodge histories name it Grimes Dormitory and say Past Grand Master Samuel M. Gattis of Hillsborough's Eagle Lodge ran the ceremony and gave the address, with Chapel Hill's University Lodge taking part. The News called it the new Steele dormitory, then nearing completion; the group of four dormitories that includes Grimes had not yet been started. People: Samuel Mallett Gattis, M. C. S. Noble Place: UNC campus, Chapel HillSearch the index · Lefler and Wager, Orange County, 1752-1952 (1953), p. 319 · Also: The News (Chapel Hill), September 8, 1921, p. 3; The News (Chapel Hill), October 13, 1921, p. 1
  56. Orange County gives S. M. Gattis a large majority, but he loses the solicitor primary to L. P. McLendon In the Democratic primary for solicitor of the tenth judicial district, Orange County gave its own S. M. Gattis of Hillsborough a majority of 1,537 and Chapel Hill merchants left their stores to work for him, but the official count gave the nomination to Maj. L. P. McLendon of Durham by about 244 votes on the strength of a 2,690 majority in Durham County. Webb, Wilson and Ward appeared to have won the county commissioner nominations by small margins. Place: Orange County · Also named: L. P. McLendonSearch the index · The News (Chapel Hill), June 8, 1922, p. 1
  57. The Orange County schools hold their county commencement at Hillsboro More than 3,000 children, teachers and parents from seven townships came to Hillsboro, many in borrowed cars and straw-lined trucks. The schoolchildren paraded with banners from the new high school to the courthouse, sang under Daniel L. Sheldon, heard Judge W. M. Bond, and held literary and athletic contests in the school, the courthouse and churches. People: Samuel Mallett Gattis, R. H. Claytor Place: Courthouse lawn and school, Hillsboro · Also named: W. M. Bond, Daniel L. SheldonSearch the index · The Chapel Hill Weekly, May 24, 1923, p. 1
  58. Orange County Democratic convention votes for Al Smith over Cordell Hull Meeting in Hillsboro on June 9, 1928, the Orange County Democratic convention took a preference vote of 45 for Gov. Alfred E. Smith and 26 for Cordell Hull, and told its delegates to split the county's 13 votes at the state convention 8 1/4 for Smith and 4 3/4 for Hull. The county stood apart from the Fifth District, where Hull men took all four Houston delegates. People: Clarence Dupre Jones, Samuel Mallett Gattis, Alexander H. "Sandy" Graham Place: Court house, HillsboroughSearch the index · The Chapel Hill Weekly, June 15, 1928, p. 3
  59. Orange County commissioners name a committee to put a marker to Dr. Edmund Strudwick on the courthouse square By August 1929 the Orange County commissioners had appointed A. H. Graham, S. M. Gattis, Clyde Ray and S. Strudwick to erect a marker on the court house square in Hillsborough honoring Dr. Edmund Strudwick, the celebrated Hillsborough physician. The Durham-Orange Medical Society was to give the bronze plaque, and the unveiling was expected the next month. People: Edmund Strudwick, Alexander H. "Sandy" Graham, Samuel Mallett Gattis, Shepperd Strudwick (1868-1961) Place: Court house square, Hillsborough · Also named: Clyde Ray, S. StrudwickSearch the index · The Chapel Hill Weekly, August 23, 1929, p. 6
  60. Samuel M. Gattis, former Speaker of the state House, dies at Hillsboro Samuel M. Gattis, born on an Orange County farm in 1863 and a University graduate of 1884, died at his home in Hillsboro. He had served several terms in the North Carolina House of Representatives, was its Speaker in 1903, and was known across the state as a Democratic leader and a delegate to the national conventions of 1900 and 1924; his funeral was held in the Methodist church. Place: His home, HillsboroSearch the index · The Chapel Hill Weekly, April 24, 1931, p. 5

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